Training apparatus

ABSTRACT

Training apparatus  1  for people that will increase the mobility of the hip-joint and the surrounding muscles (rotator muscles), and joint capsule and ligaments, with a seat  40  arranged on a support  2  with a footrest  20 . The footrest  20  is arranged to be pivotable around a pivot axis which is generally directed through the ankle joint, the knee and the hip-joint, and that the footrest  20  is connected with an activation device  30  to provide a pivot movement in the user&#39;s hip-joint.

The present invention relates to a training apparatus which can be used to increase the mobility of the hip-joint and the surrounding musculature, according to the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND

The hip-joint consists of two parts, the hip socket of the pelvis and the thigh bone head (articulation ball). The thigh bone head is supported and rotates in the hip socket. Articular cartilage covers the bone surfaces, where they meet. The articular cartilage provides a “frictionless” and subduing coating in the joint so that it can rotate without problems for years, with large loads. Every time you take a step, there is a movement in the joint. It bends, stretches out and moves out to the side.

To obtain maximum rotation in the hip, all the parts of the hip should have maximum mobility.

Most humans in the western world today have a lifestyle that does not stimulate the body to maintain and/or increase flexibility. This may result in a stiff body, and a lot of associated problems. At worst, a stiff body can cause difficulty in daily life, such as turning in bed, and rising from a chair. People that have developed Parkinsson and/or Becherew disease will have reduced mobility of the joints due to the illness, and thus, they have an extra need to work on/maintain rotation and mobility.

In golf, one also needs maximum rotation, especially in the back and in the hips to achieve the best golfswing and thereby, the best drive. A lot of golf players struggle with back injuries, because among other things, they rarely warm up, and with the golfswing demanding maximum rotation of the hip and the back.

Physiotherapists treat patients who have limited rotation in the hip, to increase the rotation and/or reduce pain, by stretching the rotator muscles and mobilising the hip-joint.

At present, there is no training apparatus being developed to improve rotation of the hip. The closest to the invention will be a rotation plate placed on a floor, onto which the patient stands and holds onto something with the hands, and rotates from side to side by means of the hands. This method does not provide a stable and good rotation, due to the pelvis not being fixed.

OBJECT

The object of the present invention is to provide training apparatus to stimulate the hip-joint and the surrounding musculature in order to optimize the mobility of the hip-joint and the surrounding musculature.

THE INVENTION

An apparatus according to the characterizing part of claim 1, can improve the mobility of the hip-joint and the surrounding musculature. Further advantageous features are given in the dependent claims.

EXAMPLE

The invention will in the following be described by means of an embodiment shown in the enclosed drawings, where

FIG. 1 shows a view of the training apparatus according to the invention, without a seat,

FIG. 2 shows a sideview of the training apparatus in FIG. 1, with a seat, and

FIG. 3 shows an illustration of the hip rotation.

In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the training apparatus 1 includes a support 2 which includes a U-shaped base 3, a cross beam 5, to vertical support columns 6 and 7, one on the vertical support columns 6, 7 arranged horizontal girder 8 for placing of a seat 40 (FIG. 2). The U-shaped base 3 is arranged in the horizontal plane and placed against the floor, where the opening of the U-shape is arranged backwards of the training apparatus 1. The cross beam 5 is arranged in a distance d1 from the opening of the support 2. The end points of the U-shaped base 3 is advantageously provided with a rubber material 4 for protection, so that persons who kick against them do not gets injured. The cross beam 5 works as a stiffener for the U-shaped base 3 and as a fixing point for the vertical support column 6. The support column 6 is arranged at the middle of the cross beam 5, in a position which corresponds to halfway between the long sides of the U-shaped base 3.

At the centre/top point of the U-shaped base 3 is arranged an additional support column 7, to hold the horizontal girder 8. The support column 7 extends above the girder 8 to form a holder for a footrest 20, a more detailed description is under FIG. 2. The support columns 6 and 7 hold the horizontal girder 8, for placing of the seat 40 (FIG. 2), a distance d2 above the floor and arranges the seat 40 in a distance d3 from the footrest 20. The support beam 5, the support columns 6 and 7, and the girder 8 can have a different shape, but advantageously has a rectangular shape, where at least one side is flat. The U-shaped base 3 can have a different shape, but advantageously has a rectangular shape which provides the largest contact surface against the floor. The support 2 is advantageously manufactured of steel or another suitable material, and the different parts are connected together by means of suitable fastening means. The distances d1, d2 and d3 are practically chosen after user group.

FIG. 1 shows the front part of the footrest 20 which includes a rotation disc 21 and two heel supports 23, and an activation device 30. The footrest 20 is arranged to provide an approximately “frictionless” pivot movement. The footrest 20 and the activation device 30 are preferably manufactured of steel or some other suitable material. The footrest 20 and the activation device 30 are preferably circular, and are arranged pivotally around a rotation axle 22 and pivotally to a transversal axis of the rotation axle 22, more closely described under FIG. 2. The heel supports 23 makes the feet rest comfortable in a preferably horizontal position, when the user sits in the seat 40. The activation device 30 extends in the horizontal plane, from the rotation disc 21 and towards the seat 40, parallel to the horizontal girder 8 with a distance d4. The activation device 30 further includes a lever 31 which is movably arranged to a fastening means 32 which is fixed to the rotation disc 21 via a bolt 33. By means of the fastening means 32, the distance d4 between the horizontal girder 8 and the activation device 30 can be adjusted, so as to fit the height of the user. Further the activation device 30 includes a gripper handle 34. The length of the lever 31 can be adjusted in the horizontal plane, between the rotation disc 21 and the seat 40, so that it fits to the user. In the example, the lever 31 is telescopic. The lever 31 is held in position by a fastening mean 35. The gripper handle 34 is arranged in the horizontal plane and at 180° to the lever 31, and it is preferably designed with a coating which provides better gripping power. In an advantageous embodiment, the coating is of rubber, and has a rough surface which serves to increase the gripping power of the handle 34.

FIG. 2 shows a sideview of the training apparatus 1, with the seat 40 attached. The Figure also shows details of the fastening of the footrest 20 to the training apparatus 1. The footrest 20 includes, in addition to the rotation disc 21, an axel 22. The footrest 20 is coupled pivotally to the support 2 by the axel 22 connecting the rotation disc 21 and the support column 7. The axel 22, which is preferably circular, and the rotation disc 21, have a common axis of rotation in the vertical direction (II-II) and provides an almost “frictionless” pivoting movement. The rotation disc 21 is pivotally coupled at an angle θ to the horizontal direction (III-III). Thus for that, when the feet are placed on the rotation disc 21, the users should be able to stretch their ankles to obtain a more comfortable position for the ankles. The most preferred angle θ is ca. 30°, away from the user.

In the example, the seat 40 includes a pillow 41, a back rest 42, a neck rest 43, an adjustment means 44 for adjustment of the angle α between the pillow 41 and the back rest 42, that in practice will mean there will be an angle (I-I) between the hip and the back of the user. In addition, the seat 40 includes an adjustment means 45, for adjustment of the distance between the neck rest 43 and the back rest 42 in the extension of the back rest 42, and a fastening means 46 for movable coupling of the seat 40 to the girder 8. The seat 40 is held in position by way of the fastening means 46. The seat 40 is preferably made of a material which provides good comfort for the user. An example of such a material is imitation leather.

By the adjustment means 45, 46 and the telescopic lever 31, a comfortable sitting position is obtained for the user, where he/she sits with out-stretched feet, preferably horizontal, placed on the rotation disc 21, and where the heels rests against the heel supports 23, the rotation disc 21 may be pivoted through an angle θ of ca. 30°. The most favourable angle α between the pillow 41 and the back rest 42 is 45°. An angle of 45°, which gives the same angle between the hip-joint and the back, results in the most favourable movement, as it will not result in any pressure on the hip-joint, and it thereby becomes looser. The most favourable position for the hands, when the user holds the gripper handle 34, is in a position approximately similar to that you have when you are driving a car.

FIG. 3 shows schematic view of what is happening in the hip when the training apparatus is used. Here, you can se how the hip rotates. By use of the training apparatus the pelvis is fixed, by that you sit still, while the foot is pivoting.

The Figure shows the user when he/she sits on the training apparatus with a favourable sitting position, as described above, and turns the activation device 30 to the right or left. The initial position is shown by position A. As the activation device 30 is rotated counter clockwise, a deflection is obtained in the hip, shown by position B. When the activation device 30 is rotated clockwise, a deflection in the hip in the opposite direction is obtained, shown by position C. With that, the user, by means of the activation device 30, can turn the hip beyond what the user himself manages to do, at the same time as these movements stretch the muscles surrounding the hip in question. By use of the training apparatus 1, the rotator muscles, the actual hip-joint, the joint capsule, and the ligaments, are stretched.

Use of the Training Apparatus

The user positions oneself in the seat and places their feet on the footrest. Next the user adjusts the distance between the seat and the footrest, so that the user, when seated, has the feet, which rests against the footrest, straightened, with the heels resting on two heel supports, and the rotation disc pivoted at an angle of ca. 30° in the horizontal direction, so that the ankles are stretched out. Next the user adjusts the seat, so that he/she sits comfortably and so that an angle of ca. 45° between the hip and the back is formed. The user then adjusts the neck rest to a comfortable position. Next the user adjusts the lever which extends from the rotation disc, so that when the user holds onto the gripper handle, at the end of the lever which is closest to the user, the user sits with a comfortable position for the hands.

The user then uses the hands to activate a movement by pivoting the activation device. By pivoting the activation device, the rotation disc is rotated to the right, and respectively to the left. When the rotation disc is rotated to one of the sides, it results in a movement in the hip-joint. This movement will, as mentioned above, increase the movement and stretch the rotator muscles in the hip. The user pivots the rotation disc alternating clockwise and counter clockwise.

Modifications

-   -   The support of the apparatus can have different embodiments, as         long as the use of the apparatus is the same.     -   The parts of the support can be manufactured of different         materials, so as steel and have different shapes and sizes.     -   The seat can have a different shape and design, and it can be         manufactured of different materials.     -   The support can be assembled by different fastening means, so as         bolts and nuts, pop rivets or other suitable fastening means.     -   The training apparatus can have an embodiment which is designed         so that the user can have a position different to sitting, for         example half standing.     -   The activation device can have a different embodiment, instead         of the lever shown in the example. The activation device can be         a handbrake-like device, which is arranged on each side of the         seat which is connected to the footrest, so that when these         handles (“handbrakes”) are pulled, the footrest is activated,         i.e. the rotation disc is pivoted. Other similar solutions to         activate the footrest can also be used. In addition, the         activation device also can be motorized having a control unit.     -   The footrest can, if it is desirable, advantageously have stops,         both in the vertical and the horizontal pivot direction, to         limit the pivot effect, since it not is of interest to have a         pivot movement of 360° in the vertical direction, or 180° in the         horizontal direction. 

1. Training apparatus (1) for people that will increase the mobility of the hip-joint and the surrounding muscles (rotator muscles), and joint capsule and ligaments, with a seat (40) arranged on a support (2) and with a footrest (20), characterized in that the footrest (20) is arranged to be pivotable around an axis of rotation which is generally directed through the ankle joint, the knee and the hip-joint, and that the footrest (20) is connected to an activation device (30) to provide a pivot movement in the user's hip-joint.
 2. Training apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (2) includes a U-shaped base (3), with a cross beam (5) near to the open end of the support (2), with at least two support columns (6,7) which between them carries a horizontal girder (8).
 3. Training apparatus (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the support column (6) is fixed to the cross beam (5), and the support column (7) is fixed to the top point of the U-shaped base (3), and extends in the vertical direction over the girder (8) to form a holder for the footrest (20).
 4. Training apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the footrest (20) includes a rotation disc (21) arranged on an axel (22) and with two heel supports (23).
 5. Training apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation device (30) includes a lever (31) with a gripper handle (34), as the lever (31) is fixed to the rotation disc (21) and extends towards the seat (40).
 6. Training apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat (40) includes a pillow (41), a back rest (42), a neck rest (43), an adjustment means (44) to adjust the angle (a) between the pillow (41) and the back rest (42), an adjustment means (45) to adjust the distance between the neck rest (43) and the back rest (42), and a fastening means (46) for movable placement of the seat (40) on the horizontal girder (8).
 7. Training apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the lever (31) is telescopic and extends in the horizontal plane from the rotation disc (21) towards the seat (40), and is held in position by way of fastening means (35).
 8. Training apparatus (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the footrest (20) is fixed to the support (2) by means of the axel (22) which is fixed to the support column (7), and that the footrest (20) is arranged to provide almost frictionless pivoting movement.
 9. Training apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the activation device (30) is arranged height adjustable to the fastening means (32).
 10. Training apparatus (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the rotation disc (21) is arranged to be pivotable ca. 90° around the pivot axis, in each side direction, and at an angle (θ) in the cross section direction of the pivot axis of the axel (22). 